Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Poppy Honey’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Poppy Honey’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow/green with some white in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Poppy Honey’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Poppy Honey’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Poppy Honey’ is a productof a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, RenéSchoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularlycharacterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economicalpropagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimensionsuitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Poppy Honey’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Golden Peoker’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Taida Salu’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Poppy Honey’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2007 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Poppy Honey’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are yellow/green with some white in the        labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Poppy Honey’, the femaleparent ‘Golden Peoker’ has yellow/green flowers with purple spots andthe male parent ‘Taida Salu’ has yellow/green flowers with purplestripes, whereas the flowers of ‘Poppy Honey’ are yellow/green with onlya few grey/purple spots on the sepals.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Poppy Honey’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘252479’ (unpatented). ‘Poppy Honey’ is alittle smaller in size and also the flowers are a little smaller than‘252479’. The color of the flowers of ‘252479’ is a little lighter thanthe color of ‘Poppy Honey’ and ‘Poppy Honey’ has some grey/purple spotson the sepals. Also differs the shape of the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Poppy Honey’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Poppy Honey’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Poppy Honey’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Poppy Honey’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Poppy Honey’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Poppy Honey’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Poppy Honey’as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘PoppyHoney’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the floweringphase of ‘Poppy Honey’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C.during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘PoppyHoney’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Poppy Honey’ from potting size isbetween 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHS), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Poppy Honey’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Golden Peoker’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Taida Salu’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-7            mm wide and green/gray in color (RHS 191B); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 40 to 45 cm. Spread: about 30 to 40 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; dark green leaves and a relatively            normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-4 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 9 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, the tip is little pointy and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 13 to 21 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 3 to 7 mm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137A). Under side:            green (RHS 137D).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137A). Under side: green (RHS N138A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Raceme.—Quantity per plant: about 1 to 4. Number of flowers            per raceme: about 5 to 9. Length: about 34 to 40 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Diameter: about 4 cm. Strength: strong. Aspect:            upright. Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: green (RHS            138B) which runs into yellow/green (RHS 145A).        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 15 mm. Diameter (at            midpoint): about 15 mm. Shape: egg-shaped/oval. Color: main            color is yellow/green (RHS 146D) which runs into            yellow/green (RHS 146A).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-4            racemes appear flower buds and flowers. First flowers can be            expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant            with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis orchid; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom):            Height: about 40 mm to 55 mm. Diameter: about 45 mm to            50 mm. Quantity and arrangement: three petals and three            sepals that are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2            whorls. Petals are more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate, little triangular and weakly cupped.            Apex: oval. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Base:            broadly ovate. Length: about 50 mm. Width: about 55 mm.            Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under surface:            smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper side:            Main color is yellow/green (a combination of RHS 154A and            RHS 154B) with at the base some white (RHS NN155C). Under            side: Main color is yellow/green (RHS 150B) with at the base            some white (RHS NN155C). Labellum: Overall Representation:            3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central junction of            the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of            labellum fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends            forward and is terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin:            entire. Apex: oval. Length: about 16 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 10 mm. Depth of tube created from lateral            lobes of labellum: about 3 mm. Texture: Upper and under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            Midlobe: upper surface: from the cirrhi white (RHS

NN155C) than yellow (RHS 10A). Close to the base grey/red (RHS 180A)with small grey/red spots (RHS 180A). Under surface: from the cirrhiwhite (RHS N155A), on the sides red/purple (RHS 71D) which runs intoyellow (RHS 5D). Lateral lobes: upper surface: from base yellow (RHS 5A)with red/purple spots (RHS 71D) which runs into white (RHS NN155C).Under surface: white (RHS NN155D). At the edges yellow (RHS 5D). Cirrhi:about 1 mm (2 small points). Color: white (RHS NN155C). Pestle(Callosities): Length: about 3 mm. Width (not flattened): about 1 to 3mm. Color: yellow (RHS 5A) with grey/purple spots (RHS 185A).

-   -   -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: oval, undulate            and weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate.            Length: about 29 mm. Width: about 20 mm. Apex: dorsal: oval            with small gap; lateral: oval with little point. Texture:            Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when            fully opened): upper side: Dorsal sepal: Main color is            yellow/green (RHS 150B) with at the base some white (RHS            NN155C). Lateral sepal: main color is yellow/green (RHS            150B). At the base red/purple edge (RHS 70B) and some white            (RHS NN155C). Also some grey/purple spots at the base (RHS            185D). Under side: Dorsal sepal: main color is yellow/green            (RHS 150B) and in the center haze of RHS 144B. At the base            some white (RHS NN155C). Lateral sepals: Main color is            yellow/green (RHS 150B) at the base white (RHS NN155C). The            vein is green (RHS 138A).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 28 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Texture:            glabrous and smooth. Color: close to the flower white (RHS            NN155C), in the middle yellow/green (RHS 150B) and then            yellow/green (RHS 146B).

-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 8 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155C). Pollinia: Quantity: two. Diameter: about            1 mm. Color: yellow/green (RHS 21A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color: RHS            NN155C.

-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.

-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Poppy Honey’, as illustrated and described herein.